encopresis -- how is it diagnosed?

[Anonymous]

My son started having weekly poop accidents after a year without them. He recently turned 5, but has been in school since he was 3. At a wellness visit, the pediatrician didn't hear anything in his stomach that would indicate a blockage. He claims that he doesn't feel it come out. He loves apples and I've also been giving him some probiotics, and I try to offer him plenty of time on the potty. The earliest appt I could make with Children's is for early next year. Any suggestions on what I can do in the meantime? I don't want to start giving him laxatives until I know that he's actually constipated.

[Anonymous]

You can discuss with your ped and ask for an X-ray of the colon. That’s how it’s diagnosed.

[Anonymous]

DD's pediatrician told us it was likely encopresis after a basic physical exam and discussion about her symptoms. Not really a formal diagnosis. She had us start Miralax and a more frequent bathroom schedule. The plan was to try that for 3-6 months and then reevaluate. I think we did the Miralax thing for about 4 months before she stopped having accidents.